Crime backdrop

Crime movies

A deep dive into the underworld of gangsters, detectives, and heists where the line between right and wrong blurs.

Subgenres include: Organized Crime, Heist, Con Artist Crime.

Drive

741. Drive

Drama Thriller Crime Heist Modern Noir Thriller
7.8

20111h 40min

United States

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn

Driver is a skilled Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver for criminals. Though he projects an icy exterior, lately he's been warming up to a pretty neighbor named Irene and her young son, Benicio. When Irene's husband gets out of jail, he enlists Driver's help in a million-dollar heist. The job goes horribly wrong, and Driver must risk his life to protect Irene and Benicio from the vengeful masterminds behind the robbery.

Themes

Deception and betrayal, Loyalty under threat, Moral ambiguity in crime, Violence as solution, Existential pressure, Power and retaliation

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Johnny English Reborn

742. Johnny English Reborn

Crime Action Comedy Spy Action Parody
6.3

20111h 41min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: Oliver Parker

The most prominent heads of state in the world begin gathering for a conference that could have a major impact on global politics. When MI-7 receives word that the Chinese premier has become the target of some high-powered killers, it falls on Johnny English to save the day. Armed with the latest high-tech weaponry and gadgets that would make even James Bond jealous, the once-disgraced agent uncovers evidence of a massive conspiracy involving some of the world's most powerful organisations, and vows to redeem his tarnished reputation by stopping the killers before they can strike.

Themes

Deception and disguise, Loyalty under pressure, Power and legitimacy, Mind control and manipulation, Diplomacy under threat, Betrayal within agencies

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Guilty

743. Guilty

Drama Crime
7.3

20111h 42min

Director: Vincent Garenq

Investigates the corrupt judicial system under which Alain Mar'caux and his wife Edith were arrested on accusations of pedophilia horrific acts they never committed- and the years he spent fighting to get out of prison, clear his name and keep his family.


Kill List

744. Kill List

Horror Thriller Crime Psychological Horror Revenge Thriller
6.4

20111h 35min

United Kingdom, Australia

Director: Ben Wheatley

Nearly a year after a botched job, a hitman takes a new assignment with the promise of a big payoff for three killings. What starts off as an easy task soon unravels, sending the killer into the heart of darkness.

Themes

Loyalty under threat, Trauma under pressure, Family safety in danger, Cult ritual pressure, Betrayal within professional bonds

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Headhunters

745. Headhunters

Thriller Crime Action Revenge Thriller Heist
7.5

20111h 40min

Germany, Denmark

Director: Morten Tyldum

An accomplished headhunter risks everything to obtain a valuable painting owned by a former mercenary.

Themes

On the run dynamics, Cat and mouse chase, Art thief and forgery, Police investigation tension, Morgue as backdrop, Troubled marriage dynamics

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Colombiana

746. Colombiana

Action Thriller Crime Drama One-Person Army
6.4

20111h 48min

France

Director: Olivier Megaton

After witnessing her parents’ murder as a child in Bogota, Cataleya Restrepo grows up to be a stone-cold assassin. She works for her uncle as a hitman by day, but her personal time is spent engaging in vigilante murders that she hopes will lead her to her ultimate target: the mobster responsible for her parents' death.

Themes

Street gang influence, Trauma and revenge, Vigilante justice and the system, Female assassin autonomy, Uncle loyalty under threat, Witness to murder resilience

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Horrible Bosses

747. Horrible Bosses

Comedy Crime Dark Comedy Con Artist Crime
6.9

20111h 38min

United States

Director: Seth Gordon

For Nick, Kurt and Dale, the only thing that would make the daily grind more tolerable would be to grind their intolerable bosses into dust. Quitting is not an option, so, with the benefit of a few-too-many drinks and some dubious advice from a hustling ex-con, the three friends devise a convoluted and seemingly foolproof plan to rid themselves of their respective employers... permanently.

Themes

Moral compromise under pressure, Abusive workplace dynamics, Workplace harassment, Illegal schemes and deception, Complicity under pressure, Power dynamics in employment

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Guard

748. The Guard

Action Comedy Thriller Crime Buddy Action
7.3

20111h 36min

Ireland, United Kingdom

Director: John Michael McDonagh

When a small-town Irish cop with a crass personality is partnered with a straight-laced FBI agent to bust an international drug-trafficking ring, they must settle their differences in order to take down a dangerous gang.

Themes

Deception and misdirection, Duty vs loyalty, Local policing and corruption, Shadow networks within ranks, Violence as consequence

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Blitz

749. Blitz

Crime Action Thriller Serial Killer Crime Investigation Suspense
6.1

20111h 37min

France, United Kingdom

Director: Elliott Lester

A tough cop is dispatched to take down a serial killer who has been targeting police officers.

Themes

Bias against outsiders, Media manipulation by killer, Deception within investigations, Professional rivalry and trust, Violence against law enforcers, Alliance under pressure

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Snowtown

750. Snowtown

Crime Drama Serial Killer Crime Coming-of-Age Drama
6.6

20112h

Australia

Director: Justin Kurzel

Based on true events, 16 year-old Jamie falls in with his mother's new boyfriend and his crowd of self-appointed neighborhood watchmen, a relationship that leads to a spree of torture and murder.

Themes

Peer pressure and conformity, Toxic family dynamics, Abuse and coercion, Homophobia and aggression, Vigilante violence normalization, Complicity and bystander silence

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
YouTube
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.